Advocate Year-Round

President Ortiz: This is how we succeed in ‘Building Stronger Cities’

by Joy Dickinson, Florida League of Cities

Advocacy is a year-round commitment. This message is being shared by Florida League of Cities President Tony Ortiz, Commissioner for the City of Orlando, as he visits with city leaders, business owners and other citizens across Florida. Quality Cities magazine asked Ortiz about his passion for Home Rule.

Florida League of Cities Past President Scott Black (from left), FLC President Tony Ortiz, Haines City Mayor Morris West and FLC First Vice President Phillip Walker at a meeting of the Ridge League of Cities.

Q: HOW CAN WE EXPLAIN HOME RULE SIMPLY TO MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY?

Our nation was formed under the premise that the governed would decide who would govern and how; in other words, those representing the people would listen to the people and govern based on the needs and directions of their constituency.

This particular principle is at the root of our very own Home Rule constitutional amendment passed in 1968. Home Rule gives the municipal and county governments the authority to pass local laws for the benefit of their residents and visitors as long as they do not interfere with already established state legislation.

Home Rule is at the foundation of my Building Stronger Cities priority. This priority has focused on organizing and empowering cities and their citizens with the goal of delivering legislation and a government that is led by local choices.

Home Rule is a nonpartisan issue. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat or a Republican. We understand the needs of the people don’t have a party label. It’s all about working for the people.

Q: HOW CAN CITY LEADERS INVOLVE THEIR RESIDENTS IN ADVOCATING FOR HOME RULE?

We need to empower residents as advocates for local voices making local choices. We need them to stay in contact with their state legislators and make sure they have represented them well by voting for the bills that positively affect their communities and rejecting those that are not good for the community.

Q: WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD CITY LEADERS SHARE WITH THEIR CITIZENS?

Citizens need to know that many of the issues tackled during the legislative session, such as short-term rentals and homebased businesses, directly affect their property rights and personal safety. For example, when a house in the neighborhood is rented to 20 people who stay up until 4 a.m., or when your neighbor starts up a business next door to you like a car repair shop, a 24-hour gym or palm reading, these businesses can compromise the safety and integrity of the community.

Q: WHAT SHOULD OUR CITIZENS TELL THEIR LEGISLATORS?

Citizens can remind legislators of their priorities: first and foremost, to represent the people and then work on quality-of-life items like keeping neighborhoods safe, protecting communities and maintaining the right to own a home and protect that home. Local community leaders need to make sure state lawmakers know that constituents are watching them.

Q: WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT OF OUR RESIDENTS COMMUNICATING WITH LEGISLATORS?

When legislators hear from a significant number of citizens about an issue, they become more agreeable to working with citizens and representing their views on issues. In addition, those calls serve as a reminder that citizens voted them into power and citizens can vote them out.

Q: WHAT ADVOCACY RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR CITY LEADERS?

I encourage leaders to work with FLC staff members on issues as they come up. The League offers resources to assist with advocacy. The 2021 Legislative Session Final Report is a useful tool for examining which bills passed and which failed. Also, in the 2021 Legislative Summary of Key Votes, city leaders can look up how their legislators voted on issues of importance to them. We’re going to see if they are voting in a manner that they’re supposed to vote representing their communities. And if they’re not, we should convey this information to the voters so they will reconsider voting for someone who is not representing them. (The 2021 Legislative Session Final Report and the 2021 Legislative Summary of Key Votes are available at flcities.com in the “Advocacy” section.)

Q: WHAT ELSE CAN CITY LEADERS DO TO ADVOCATE FOR HOME RULE?

Let your state representatives know where you and your citizens stand on issues. Texting or sending a private message on social media or calling can be more effective than emails. Reaching a staff person can be as effective as talking to a legislator directly.

It can be as simple as asking legislators if they’re talking to their constituents. They may need to be reminded that protecting neighborhoods and the integrity of communities are key issues. Those legislators should follow the lead of their constituents who elected them instead of following the legislative leadership. State lawmakers have taken a vow to uphold the Constitution, which includes Home Rule.

Joy Dickinson is the Editor and Creative Project Manager at the Florida League of Cities.